PowerScale: iDRAC experiences connectivity problems
Summary: The following event is displayed on the cluster. The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) located in chassis {chassis} is experiencing connectivity problems. This controller monitors hardware components such as batteries and power supplies. To ensure that these hardware components continue to be monitored, contact Dell support. This may be caused by an unresponsive PowerTools Agent process. PTAgent is the process that facilitates communication between the iDRAC and OneFS' hardware monitoring subsystem. ...
Instructions
To identify the node on which the Alert was seen
# isi event events list | grep -i IDRAC
26.954089 02/01 00:21 C 5 1336539 The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) located in chassis HCBPFV3 is experiencing connectivity problems. This controller monitors hardware components such as batteries and power supplies. To ensure these
To check the status of IDRAC connection on a particular node.
Open an SSH connection to the specific Node in the cluster and log in using the "root" account.
Run the following command,
# isi_hwmon -a | grep -i iDRAC Test : --- IDRACServices Diagnostics --- Test : iDRAC USB NIC State Test : idraccache: OK Test : idracConnection: OK Test : --- IDRACServices Diagnostics ---
To check the status of IDRAC connection on all the Nodes
# isi_for_array -s isi_hwmon -a | grep -i iDRAC
If the idracConnection status is not OK or if numerous alerts indicate that IDRAC is experiencing connectivity problems, contact PowerScale Support.
iDRAC Component Errors — "No Valid Labels"
If the iDRAC hardware inventory or sensor list displays components with missing, blank, or "no valid labels" entries, this typically indicates that the PTAgent process is unable to relay component label information between OneFS and the iDRAC.
Common causes:
- Unresponsive PTAgent process (see the Additional Information section below for PTAgent restart guidance)
- The
isi_security_checker cronjob overloading the iDRAC (see PowerScale iDRAC is Experiencing Connectivity Issues — applicable to F200, F600, F900, P100, and B100 series nodes only) - iDRAC firmware issues
Diagnostic steps:
- Check iDRAC connection status on the affected node:
isi_hwmon -a | grep -i iDRAC - Check across all nodes:
isi_for_array -s isi_hwmon -a | grep -i iDRAC - If the idracConnection status shows anything other than OK, contact Dell PowerScale Support. Do not modify iDRAC or BIOS settings without Dell Support approval (see KB Changing iDRAC settings on a PowerScale node).
Dell.com Validation Source(s):
- KB 000222465 — PowerScale: iDRAC experiences connectivity problems — Confirms PTAgent as the iDRAC-OneFS communication mechanism and provides base diagnostic commands
- KB 000243478 — PowerScale iDRAC is Experiencing Connectivity Issues — Confirms isi_security_checker overload as a known iDRAC trigger; confirms scope exclusion for A/H-series nodes
- KB 000253700 — Changing iDRAC settings on a PowerScale node— Confirms policy that iDRAC/BIOS changes on PowerScale require Dell Support approval
Additional Information
PowerScale: Isilon: Gen6.5 node in Read-Only mode with iDRAC and NVDIMM alerts (Dell portal login required)